17.9.10

The National Library of France (Bibilothèque nationale de France – “BnF”) has its origins from the 14th century, then Royal. Since 1537 there is an obligation, still in force, that a copy of all printed matters must be deposited. In the 17th century the Library was installed in the area which you can see on the map. With increasing needs of surface area, it expanded to a number of private mansions in the area. The Revolution changed the name from Royal to National. Important renovation and construction work took place during the 19th century – including the vast reading room (top picture) - to make a total and integrated complex, which basically is what you see today, referred to as “Richelieu”.

Some of the halls, the stairs and other reading rooms are spectacular and all over the place different interesting objects are exposed including 17th century globes. The largest existing antique cameo you can see on one photo dates from about 23 BC. Among the documents stored you may note the world’s oldest book (2350 BC), pieces from the Dead Sea Scrolls, Bibles from the 5th and 6th centuries, three Gutenberg bibles, 900 Rembrandt engravings, Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Wagner, Ravel, Debussy…scores, Casanova’s autobiography manuscript and manuscripts of many other authors like Voltaire, Diderot, Rousseau, Beaumarchais, de Sade, Chateaubriand, Lamartine, Balzac, Hugo, Flaubert, Verne…, the world’s first photo (Niépce 1825)….

More and more space has been needed and for a long time important parts of the collections, millions and millions of books and other documents have been stored elsewhere. The most spectacular event is of course the creation on the left bank of the “Bibilothèque François Mitterrand”, opened to public in 1995.

Gosh! What a wonderful place this is...... I cannot describe in words how truly overjoyed I feel just looking at these pictures! Now that certainly is on my list of must-visit places! Thanks so much for sharing and do have a wonderful weekend!

Beautiful photos. They remind me of my Lycée in Lisbon, also an old and beautiful building with polished solid wood floors, wood paneled walls in the library and a grand stone staircase. The smell of old wood and wax polish are an indelible part of my childhood and ealy teenage years.

I need to say that I'm always inside some library here.Now I'm trying to read French authors as well.But it's difficult sometimes. :)This Bibliothèque is magnificent, glad that you have the opportunity to take pictures inside.Really wonderful!Hugs and happy weekendLéia

Argh, We stayed very close to the National Library when we were in Paris in June- I knew I should have looked inside! The French do grandeur so well, particularly inside public buildings. The collection sounds amazing too. Something to visit next time though.

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My previous blog, PHO, was in operation for a year as from March 2007. It contains similar posts as this one, basically talking about different well known or more secrete sites in Paris. You can reach it by clicking HERE.